During the meeting, Nausėda thanked the Chancellor for Germany's long-standing commitment to Lithuania's and the region's security, and emphasised that Berlin's role in ensuring peace in Europe, including on the eastern flank, is exceptional and crucial.
„The inauguration of Germany's 45th Armoured Brigade in Vilnius sent a powerful message, which you conveyed during your historic visit to Vilnius last year. A little over a month ago, a commemorative plaque dedicated to this occasion was unveiled in Vilnius' Town Hall Square, bearing your words: „Lithuania's security is our security. The defence of Vilnius is the defence of Berlin,“ Nausėda is quoted as saying in the statement.
The president also emphasised that Lithuania is fulfilling its commitments regarding the permanent deployment of the brigade faster than planned and is adhering to the scheduled deadlines.
Susiję straipsniai
„The president noted that the deployment of the German Brigade is not solely a defence project. According to the country's leader, we have a unique opportunity to raise bilateral relations with Germany to an even higher level and strengthen political, economic, social, and cultural ties. In view of this, according to the country's leader, we must also take additional measures to strengthen German language education and promotion programs in Lithuania,“ reads the statement from the President's Office.
During the meeting, Nausėda also emphasised that Europe's first line of defence begins in Ukraine. According to him, this means that without a secure Ukraine, there will be no long-term security in Europe. The right path, according to the country's leader, is to ensure long-term military and financial support for Ukraine.
„We appreciate Germany's efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. We welcome Germany's leadership in ensuring increased military support for the country attacked by the aggressor. Germany's example could lead to a fairer distribution of the financial burden among Ukraine's allies. Lithuania, for its part, is firmly committed to its target of 0.25% of annual GDP in support, with most of the aid coming from the national budget,“ said the Lithuanian leader.
ELTA reminds us that a military base for up to 4,000 soldiers and civilians will be built on a 170-hectare site in Rūdninkai, about 23 km south of Vilnius and 35 km from the border with Belarus. A German Brigade will use the Rūdninkai training ground.
The second phase of construction of the Rūdninkai base is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the base operational in early 2028.
The total cost of the Rūdninkai military town project will be around EUR 1.2 billion.
In the summer of 2022, Berlin committed to deploying a brigade-sized military unit in Lithuania. A total of around 5,000 German Brigade soldiers and civilians are to be transferred to Lithuania. Some of them will arrive with their families.
According to German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, the brigade will reach full operational capacity in 2027. The brigade will be based in Rūdninkai, near Klaipėda.